Keeping Up with the Frequency of 5G

By now, each and every person we know has heard about 5G. But what is 5G exactly? 5G is the 5th generation mobile network. It is the new global wireless standard after 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G. 5G enables a new kind of network that is designed to connect virtually everyone and everything together including machines and devices. 5G wireless technology is meant to deliver higher multi-Gbps peak data speeds, ultra-low latency, more reliability, and a more uniform user experience. Higher performance and improved efficiency empowers new user experiences and connects industries.

As Principal and Office Manager of our South Florida Bennett & Pless office, John, is paving the way for 5G towers across the Southeast. Recently, John caught up with us to talk about how 5G has impacted his structural engineering position and what the future looks like for 5G towers.

The 5G build out is now the driver of the telecommunications industry. John explained to us that the 5G towers are currently implemented in small cell sites, such as light or utility poles in densely populated areas. A good example of this, is the work done before Superbowl LIV debuted on February 2nd. John and his team worked hard to set up 5G towers in all 3 major sporting venues in South Florida: Hard Rock Stadium, American Airlines Arena, and Marlins Park. Soon they will become more prevalent on macro tower sites, like self-support and guyed towers. You will also continue to see build outs in more stadiums!

Right now, with the country being in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, sporting events are not occurring which means empty stadiums. Empty stadiums mean ease of construction due to larger windows for performing work and ease of access to areas being upgraded. A lot of carriers are taking advantage of the fan-less stadiums, and then turning to us to fast track the implementation of 5G towers in their sporting facilities. The rush to implement this new technology, has led to John and his team staying consistently busy.

The Covid-19 pandemic has generated more projects, not only in the athletics world, but also for the need to keep everyone connected while working remotely. The telecommunications industry is an essential business, especially during the times we are in. With Sprint and T-Mobile merging together, the competition has increased by adding a new player to the mix. The increased need for 5G is on the rise. One possible delay John can foresee in the near future is with the local permitting offices, due to the large number of permits still being filed during the pandemic. Thankfully, the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) has stepped in to help facilitate the processing of telecommunications permits with the collaboration of state and local governments. (https://wia.org/wia-supports-municipality-industry-collaboration-tools-for-continuing-wireless-infrastructure-permitting/) It appears the future of structural engineering of telecommunication towers, including 5G, isn’t slowing down anytime soon, and Bennett & Pless is meeting the demand.